A PROTECTIVE BODY/COVER TO BE PLACED OVER DISCHARGE OPENINGS ON PIPES FOR THE UNDERGROUND SUPPLY OF WATER AND AIR

Abstract: A protective body/cover (1) to be placed over water/air openings on underground pipes (2). The cover is two-legged and has openings at two opposite ends to permit a pipe (2) to be passed through. Water from openings in the pipe moves towards shaped walls/projections (3), which lead the water to drip (4) through air (10) and fall to the ground (5), approximately directly under the pipe (2). The side walls on the bottom part of the cover have plates/feet (6) which prevent the pipe from sinking down into the ground. At the ends of the protective body/cover (1) there are provided slots or holes (8) with inserted pins/plates (9) which secure the pipe (2) and prevent it from being pushed down. Under the cover there will be formed an air-filled space (10) through which the water drips. Interior vertical walls (7) in the lower part of the cover (1) will be kept dry on the inside and prevent the plants' roots from growing up the wall in their search for the water source (4).

Description: A PROTECTIVE BODY/COVER TO BE PLACED OVER DISCHARGE OPENINGS ON PIPES FOR THE UNDERGROUND SUPPLY OF WATER AND AIR This invention comprises a protective body/cover over water/air discharge openings on underground irrigation pipes. Many experiments have been made with underground irrigation. In some cases a pipe is cut into desired lengths and opened with a longitudinal incision, thus enabling it to be pushed down over the pipe, covering the outlet opening and preventing it from being clogged with earth. This system is effective with regard to watering, but problems have arisen with respect to the roots of some plants/trees which, when they grow and search for water, move towards the pipe and grow/penetrate in between the pipe and the covering pipe part which is used. The roots tear off the covering part and small roots grow in through the outlet openings on the pipe and block them. In this invention known, attached pipe pieces and different types of known water reservoir boxes are replaced by placing on to the pipe a two-legged protective cover which is provided in such a manner that the upper part prevents earth from being moved into the outlet opening on the pipe. The lower part of the cover has foot plates, which prevent the pipe and cover from sinking down into the ground. Vertical walls are shaped or have projections which slope in towards the middle and convey the water from the pipe inwards, thus causing it to drip through air to the ground. The inside of the lower part of the protective cover will remain dry. This prevents the plants' roots from climbing up the walls in their search for water and blocking the water/air discharge holes on the supply pipes. The invention can be implemented in several ways. In the attached drawings 1 illustrates an embodiment of a protective body/cover which is placed over the pipe 2. On the inside there are illustrated internal projections 3 which convey drips of water 4 through air 10 to the underlying earth 5. The lower part of the protective body/cover has outwardly facing plates/feets 6 which prevent the pipe from being pressed down into the ground 5. The protective body/cover is secured to the pipe by slots or holes 8 at the ends, into which a pin or plate 9 can be inserted in order to secure the cover 1 to the pipe.

Claims: PATENT CLAIMS 1. A protective body/cover to be placed over discharge openings on pipes for the underground supply of water and air, characterized in that it consists of a cover (1), which is placed over discharge openings on water/air-transporting pipes (2), has two legs (7) which extend down¬ wards, to approximately double the length of the pipe's diameter, one on each side of the pipe (2) forming an air pocket under the pipe, on the inside of the cover there is a projection (3) which conveys the water (4) in drips through air (10) to the ground (5), approximately directly under the pipe (2). 2. A protective body/cover to be placed over discharge openings on pipes, as mentioned in claim 1, characterized in that on the lower part of the vertical leg (7) of the cover (1) there are provided foot plates (6) standing approximately at right angles. 3. A protective body/cover to be placed over discharge openings on pipes, as mentioned in claims 1-3, characterized in that at one or both ends of the cover (1) there are provided slots (8) or holes for the insertion of an element (9) which secures the cover (1) in the correct position on the pipe (2).

Inventors: GOGSTAD TURID RINGDAL, RINGDAL ANNE-LISE, GOGSTAD, TURID, RINGDAL, RINGDAL, ANNE-LISE
Applicants: GOGSTAD TURID RINGDAL, MADEIRA INVEST A S, RINGDAL ANNE LISE, GOGSTAD, TURID, RINGDAL, MADEIRA INVEST A/S, RINGDAL, ANNE-LISE
Application year: 1994
Main classification: A01G25
IPC codes: A01G25, E02B13